Florida

2 great white sharks tagged by OCEARCH tracked off Florida, near Marco Island

Published

2 years ago

February 5, 2024

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2 great white sharks tagged by OCEARCH tracked off Florida, near Marco Island

Two toothy visitors were tracked to the waters off the Southwest Florida coast over the weekend.

Keji, a 9-foot 7-inch great white shark, pinged far off Marco Island Friday at 1:59 p.m. On Sunday at 11:55 a.m., a 9-foot 6-inch white shark named Simon pinged near the same location.

Their travels are recorded via satellite tags attached to their dorsal fins by OCEARCH researchers. When a tag breaks the water’s surface, location information is transmitted to trackers.

Simon was known to travel 4,000 miles with an 8-foot shark “buddy” named Jekyll, surprising scientists who previously believed sharks preferred only solitude.

But it looks like they may have parted ways. Jekyll’s tracker shows him pinging off Jacksonville on Feb. 4. Jekyll also pinged off South Carolina less than a day before Simon was tracked off Florida’s Treasure Coast on Jan. 20.

Here’s what to know about Keji, Simon, OCEARCH and white sharks in Florida:

What we know about OCEARCH white shark Keji

Keji was tagged by OCEARCH near Ironbound Island Nova Scotia on Sep. 22, 2021. At the time, the male juvenile white shark measured 9 feet 7 inches and weighed in at 578 pounds. White sharks can grow up to 20 feet long, though most are smaller with males averaging 11-13 feet.

Keji was named after the Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site in the region where he was tagged, according to OCEARCH.

He is no stranger to Florida. According to his tracked pings, Keji was near the Florida Keys on Dec. 13, southeast of St. Augustine on Nov. 30 and made his way to the Panhandle in early 2023. He also paid visits during the winters of 2021 and 2022.

More about great white shark Simon

Simon was caught and tagged off St. Simon’s Island, Georgia on Dec. 4, 2022, during OCEARCH Expedition Southbound.

At the time he was considered a juvenile shark, measuring 9-foot 6 inches and weighing 434 pounds.

Simon was named after St. Simon’s Island, where OCEARCH met him.

Simon recently pinged off Vero Beach on Jan. 17 and near Stuart on Jan. 20.

Why are great white sharks in Florida?

White sharks swim south when the water gets too cold for them and they lack food sources up north, according to OCEARCH chief scientist Dr. Bob Hueter.

Think of them as the snowbirds of sharks.

Most of them tend to hang out away from the beaches in the continental shelf waters, Hueter said.

What is OCEARCH?

OCEARCH is a nonprofit organization researching the ocean’s giants.

The group is recently finished up its 46th expedition, dubbed Expedition Southeast. It departed from Jacksonville on Nov. 17 and is made its final docking in Morehead City, North Carolina on Dec. 15.

There are about 100 documented shark attacks around the globe each year and Florida is home to most of those.

While Florida has the most attacks, South Africa has the most shark-related fatalities.

Since 1992, there have been 1,232 shark bites worldwide, according to data from floridapanhandle.com, with white sharks credited as the top biters.

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Florida

Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for $25M

Published

2 hours ago

March 11, 2026

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Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for M

These are the Top 10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County in February.

Data provided by: Royal Shell Real Estate.

1. 4115 Cutlass Lane, Naples

List price: $28,750,000

Sold price: $25,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,291 square feet

Year built: 2022

Days on market: 355

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock/Lift, Jet Ski Lift, Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen/Shower

View: Basin

2. 1365 Spyglass Lane, Naples

List price: $21,500,000

Sold price: $19,950,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,736 square feet

Year built: 2023

Days on market: 76

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay

3. 600 Galleon Drive, Naples

List price: $19,995,000

Sold price: $18,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 7,195 square feet

Year built: 2002

Days on market: 104

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Tennis Court, Private Pool, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Bay

4. 1818 6th Street S., Naples

List price: $19,495,000

Sold price: $18,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Aqualane Shores

Size: 6,305 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 0

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Deck, Outdoor Kitchen/Shower

View: Canal

5. 1640 Dolphin Court, Naples

List price: $15,995,000

Sold price: $15,150,000

Neighborhood/Development: Royal Harbor

Size: 6,500 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 65

Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Bay

6. 1040 2nd Street S., Naples

List price: $13,495,000

Sold price: $12,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Olde Naples

Size: 5,486 square feet

Year built: 2020

Days on market: 20

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill

View: Landscaped Area

7. 436 Putter Point Court, Naples

List price: $10,900,000

Sold price: $10,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 5,156 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 62

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

8. 16961 Sud Cortile Court, Naples

List price: $7,897,000

Sold price: $7,650,000

Neighborhood/Development: Mediterra

Size: 5,128 square feet

Year built: 2015

Days on market: 49

Amenities: Lakefront, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Community Pool, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Golf Course, Lake

9. 2900 Indigobush Way, Naples

List price: $7,750,000

Sold price: $7,625,000

Neighborhood/Development: Grey Oaks

Size: 6,605 square feet

Year built: 2000

Days on market: 93

Amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Concierge Services, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Sauna, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Golf Course

10. 424 Spinnaker Drive, Naples

List price: $7,250,000

Sold price: $6,825,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 4,724 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 59

Amenities: Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here.

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Florida

Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

Published

14 hours ago

March 10, 2026

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Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.

Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.

Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.

“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.

“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.

Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.

“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”

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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.

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Florida

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

Published

1 day ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

There are two No Kings protests planned for the Treasure Coast; one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce.

No Kings Day protests are scheduled for March 28, with over a thousand protests planned across the United States.

Organizers say the No Kings events will challenge President Donald Trump as he escalates “his attempts to control us.” Dozens of protests are planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast.

Here’s what to know about the protests.

What is a No Kings protest?

No Kings is a nationwide protest organized in response to President Donald Trump and his administration.

“It is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” according to the nokings.org website. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken.”

One core principle of No Kings is a commitment to nonviolent action. The organization’s website states participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with dissenters and act lawfully.

No Kings protest in Stuart

No Kings protest in Fort Pierce

No Kings protests in Florida

There are dozens of protests planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast, with one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce. Find a protest near you.

Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.

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